Ringing in the Ears Causes & Risks

Causes

Many diseases and conditions are associated with tinnitus, including:

• Hearing loss, the most frequent cause of persistent tinnitus
• Exposure to loud noises
• Stroke
• Certain medications (see below)
• Wax or a foreign body in the ear canal
• Allergies
• Ear infection
• Fluid in the ear
• Ruptured membrane in the ear
• Meniere's disease
• High or low blood pressure
• Injury to the head or neck
• Tumors
• Blood vessel disorders, such as an aneurysm or hardening of the arteries
• Diabetes
• Thyroid problems

Rare episodes of tinnitus lasting at most a few minutes are quite common in normal people, especially after exposure to loud noises. Be sure to see a doctor for tinnitus that is persistent and/or associated with hearing loss, dizziness, change in personality, speech, or weakness in any body area. Tinnitus that is pulsatile or heard only on one side also generally requires a medical evaluation. Evaluation should be more urgent when tinnitus comes on rapidly, and especially when it is associated with personality change or any loss of bodily function.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

Your risk of tinnitus increases with:

• Exposure to loud noises
• Depression
• Stress
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Certain medications:
  • Aspirin
  • Quinine and its derivatives
  • Some antibiotics (aminoglycosides)
  • Some diuretics (water pills)
• Toxins:
  • Heavy metals
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Alcohol